Continuous Professional Development
Law Society Requirements
The Law Society has operated a compulsory Continuing Professional Development scheme since 1985. Over the years, it has evolved into a system guided by the principles of simplicity and flexibility.
Solicitors are encouraged to assume responsibility for their own development by choosing from the wide range of activities that can be pursued in order to meet the yearly CPD requirement.
All solicitors and registered European lawyers who are in legal practice or employment in England and Wales and work 32 hours or more per week are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of CPD per year; at least 25% must consist of participation in accredited training courses. For those who work fewer than 32 hours per week, the requirements are reduced.
The Law Society CPD year runs from 1 November to 31 October. For more information about the Law Society’s CPD requirements, see www.cpd.lawsociety.org.uk.
Bar Council Requirements
Under the CPD Regulations of the General Council of the Bar, newly qualified barristers are required to complete a minimum of 45 hours of accredited CPD, including at least 9 hours of Advocacy Training and 3 hours of Ethics ( the “New Practitioners’ Programme”) in their first three years of practice, and on completion of the New Practitioners' Programme, barristers are required to undertake 12 hours of CPD each year, four hours of which must be through accredited activities.
See www.legaleducation.org.uk the Bar Council's Education and Training website, for more information about the Bar’s CPD requirements.